CWM Renamed Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention & Services

June 1, 2016

The USC Center for Women and Men (CWM) will officially change its name to Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services beginning June 1, 2016.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services oversees Student Affairs initiatives to combat sexual violence and gender-based harm. The name change is consistent with national best practices and reflects efforts to provide clear road marks toward services for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. The name “Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services” is more inclusive of all student populations, including those that do not identify within the gender binary. Fostering a community where students are valued, supported and receive the assistance they need to be successful, and developing a community where students are aware of and enabled to utilize campus resources were the main drivers behind the name change to Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services.

Originally, this center was called the Office of Women’s Issues and its purpose was to decrease sexism, offer rape-prevention programming, advocate on behalf of and provide counseling to women experiencing gender-based harm. To invite men into the circle of support, the name changed to Center for Women and Men (CWM) in 1989. Over time, it became clear the center’s name was not indicative of the services it offered and a new, updated name was needed to increase clarity of purpose.

With the name change to Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services, the current mission and focus of the center, to support students of all gender identities who may experience sexual or gender-based harm, will be more evident to USC students. Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services will remain in Suite 356 of the Engemann Student Health Center. Students can reach Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services for an appointment or urgent matters at (213) 740-4900.

An Open House is planned for Friday, August 26 at the center to promote the new name and welcome students back the first week of the fall semester.